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Pricci's Free Daily Feature Race Analysis

Whenever his daily work schedule permits, HorseRaceInsider executive editor John Pricci will analyze that day's feature race from a major thoroughbred-racing jurisdiction.

Monday, December 26, 2011

Asmussen’s Gang to Upset Baffert’s Mob

The feature race of the day at one of the two premiere winter tracks takes place at Santa Anita, the Grade 1 Malibu at 7 furlongs, the last G1 of the year for 3-year-olds.

Who wants it more, Bob Baffert, who’s entered four runners, or Steve Asmussen, who will tighten the girth on three. While that might be an impossible call, it certainly appears that the winner will come from one of these powerhouses. Today, we’ll favor Asmussen.

Rothko (9-2) has just been on a tear. Developing rapidly this fall, he’s seeking his fourth straight and although he’s not been this distance, he owns the right style for the stretchout, is nicely drawn and fits the race shape. Corey Nakatani returns to SoCal for today’s ride.

Taking Rothko to win at 7-2 or great and boxing him in the exacta with Smash in a wide open and opening renewal of the always entertaining Malibu.

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Replay Pays

Merry Christmas Eve one and all and an interesting feature from Gulfstream Park, the Ginger Brew Stakes for juvenile fillies on the turf and what an open scramble it is, leaving many potential ways to go. And we’re going for the presents in this spot.

Ann Of The Dance (10-1) is making her second start for Marty Wolfson with a steady, purposeful workline, excellent late foot, a cozy inside draw and a switch to Calder’s leading rider Luis Saez.

With all the speed signed on in here, and given the size of the field, Ann Of The Dance fits the race shape, has been toughened in graded stakes and, while meeting some nice fillies here, gets significant class relief.

But I buried the lead. Find yourself a replay of the Juvenile Fillies Turf and catch the trip; wide doesn’t begin to describe the impossible task she was handed.

Taking Ann Of The Dance to win at 6-1 or greater and keying her in all super-exotic positions with Welcome Dance (5-1), Wholelottashakin (12-1), Sinister Brew (6-1) Karlovy Vary (7-2) and Spiritedmiss (10-1).

Friday, December 23, 2011

In For a Penny, In For a Pound

Today’s Gulfstream Park feature is a classified allowances, a one-turn mile that has drawn a half with two, Boys Of Tosconova (8-5) and Where’s Sterling (2-1), owning a considerable edge of their rivals.

Rick Dutrow is using this race to find out where he’s at right now with the 2010 Juvenile runnerup. He’s had five works since winning his second start off a return from an injury and retains regular rider Ramon Dominguez.

Now while he hasn’t been asked for his best recently, he must prove he’s all the way back to his 2-year-old form. At a short price, we’ll pass.

Where’s Sterling, meanwhile, has really blossomed this year at 4, he’s reuniting with Paco Lopez, aboard for all three career victories and, most significantly, owns two winning races and a placing in three starts on this ground.

Taking Where’s Sterling to win at 8-5 or greater and an exacta box with the favorite.